Badlands wins best indie record store | livemusic.fm

The votes have been cast and the results are in and Cheltenham-based Badlands has been declared the best indie record shop in the UK, so well done them. As previously reported, a new website set up by the Entertainment Retailers Association to promote and support the UK's remaining 300 independent record stores recently encouraged music fans to vote for their favourite indie retailer. Founded in 1986 by Steven and Philip Jump, Badlands is not only one of the largest CD sellers in the South West of England, but they also have a successful online and eBay operation, run a Bruce Springsteen fan club and since 2002 have run a travel agency that specialises in organising trips to concerts by major rocks acts, a service which grew out of them organising regular trips to see The Boss perform at various places around the world. Commenting on his business' win in the indie store vote, Philip Jump told CMU: "We're thrilled to win this award especially in our 25th anniversary year and would like to thank all our loyal customers for voting for us. We'll invest the prize money in the pub with our staff on Saturday night!" ERA chief Kim Bayley added: "We have been overwhelmed by the public reaction to the site which has revealed the genuine affection music fans feel towards indie shops. Badlands is a very worthy recipient of this honour". ERA's indie store website is at indierecordshop.org while you can find out more about and buy a CD off Badlands at www.badlands.co.uk.